As of January 1, 2017 under the new CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Program, every Registered CFAA Fire Alarm Technician must have obtained a minimum of 8 (eight) approved Continuing Education credits each registration year to renew their registration annually, commencing January 1, 2017. The documentation verifying that this requirement has been met must be submitted to the CFAA prior to renewal of the technician’s registration. The Continuing Education must be relevant to Fire Alarm Systems and may include those ‘Performance Objectives and Skills’ outlined in the CFAA Fire Alarm Trainee Log Book. Preference for credit allotment will be given to those categories that provide proof of attendance and successful completion of a proficiency examination. The CFAA has final determination of the number of credits approved, which is not open to dispute or recourse. All required supporting documentation including the attached Click here for CE Submittal Form must be emailed to: CE@cfaa.ca

One of the most important changes to the new CFAA Fire Alarm Technician Program is the requirement for continuing education. This has always been a necessary component in the professional development of any CFAA Fire Alarm Technician in order to keep up with changes in the industry, whether they be technical, jurisdictional or pertaining to updated codes and standards. Beginning for those CFAA Fire Alarm Technician renewing in 2017, you will be required to submit proof for approval that you have successfully completed eight (8) Continuing Education Credits within at least the past registration year. The CFAA Trainee Logbook, which is available online at the CFAA website: www.cfaa.ca/logbook.aspx, is a very useful tool in outlining the specific types of education that will be accepted for Continuing Education Credits, and what would be considered as industry related training. Each continuing education credit relates to approximately one hour of classroom, lecture or training time with a quiz that is related to the industry. Note that of the 8 required credits, only 2 would have to be achieved directly through CFAA. The remainder can be obtained in a number of ways, including CFAA delivered seminars, educational institutions, and industry providers or even within your own company. There is a great deal of flexibility and latitude for meeting these new requirements. Each Registered CFAA Fire Alarm Technician should begin tracking their continuing education training and education on the form found at Click here for CE Submittal Form. Note: Preference for credit allotment will be given to those methods that provide proof of attendance, instructor information, session information and successful completion of a proficiency quiz or exam.

Only 8 Continuing Education Credits are required for ALL those renewing in 2017 no matter if you had registered for one or two years in the past.

Please note that if you renew your registration for two (2) years in 2016, or in the future, you will be required to submit proof for approval that you have successfully completed eight (8) Continuing Education Credits within each of the two years of your past registration period for a total of sixteen (16) Credits to renew your registration.
The CFAA is in the process of launching one-hour online and webinar based courses that will cover a wide range topics and will help meet at minimum, the requirement for 2 credits from CFAA training or all 8 credits. These courses will be available for a minimal fee per course and will be able to be done easily with nothing more than a computer with internet access. Once registered for the webinar, it can be completed at any time as the technician’s schedule allows. Other opportunities and venues for CFAA training will also be made available and will be posted on the CFAA website as details are determined.

ContinuingEducationCredits(General Requirements)

Eight (8) Continuing Education (CE) Credits are required annually prior to any technician’s registration renewal starting January 1, 2017. Note: those that are due to renew in January or February 2017 can renew early (by December 31, 2016). You are required to submit CE from 2017 onwards. Sart accumulating today.

A minimum of two (2) CE Credits must come from Category 1 (Click here for CE Submittal Form) and up to all eight required credits may come from this category. This is training taken directly from the CFAA with an examination.

The remaining six (6) CE Credits may come from either the CFAA or other training means, or both

A maximum of four (6) CE Credits may be acquired annually in any one category other than Category 1

Pre-approval of other training or material by the CFAA is not required. Submission of documentation of any other training to the CFAA for approval as credit is. Training must meet the CFAA criteria approval for both content and relevancy.

The Technician Training Log Book Sections “A” through “E” items are the basis of any non-CFAA training for consideration for approval towards CE Credits and the specific item the training received corresponds with must be noted on the submission form.

Full details regarding submission requirements and credit allotments can be found in the CFAA CE Course Submission Package available online.

Submit completed CE submittal form with supporting documentation to ce@cfaa.ca at the time of renewal request online

Total credits required annually: 8 (Eight)

CATEGORY

2016 CREDIT ALLOTMENT

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

MINIMUM CATEGORY REQUIREMENT

MAXIMUM CATEGORY ALLOWANCE

1. CFAA Training, Course or Seminar with an Examination

1 credit per hour of attendance

Certificate of successful completion

2

8

2. CFAA Lecture, Seminar or Symposium Attendance

½ credit per hour of attendance

Certificate or proof of attendance

0

6

3. Manufacturer or Vendor Training or Course with an Examination

1 credit per hour of attendance

Certificate of successful completion AND outline of training and schedule from instructor

0

6

4. Manufacturer or Vendor Lecture or Training Attendance

¼ credit per hour of attendance

Certificate of attendance AND outline and schedule from provider or instructor

0

6

5. Industry related Training or Course with an Examination

1 credit per hour of attendance

Certificate of successful completion AND outline and schedule from provider or instructor

0

6

6. Industry related Lecture or Training Attendance

¼ credit per hour of attendance

Certificate of attendance AND outline and schedule from provider

0

6

7. Industry related Post- Secondary or Trade School course

1 credit per hour of attendance

Copy of the official transcript from the educational institution

0

6

***The above table is valid for the 2019 calendar year and is subject to change annually.